Central network controller for weapon accessory devices

Abstract

A central network controller for a weapon comprises a plurality of computer ports for attaching electronic weapon accessory devices. Each of the computer ports is configured to permit interchangeable use of the electronic weapon accessory devices on a weapon. A processor and an associated electronic memory are operably coupled to the plurality of computer ports. One or more input devices are operably coupled to the processor and are configurable to control operation of an attached one or more of said electronic weapon accessory devices. The central network controller is configured to permit communication between the electronic weapon accessory devices and the processor to permit control of the electronic weapon accessory devices based on input from the one or more input devices. The central network controller is configured to facilitate electronic communication between the electronic weapon accessory devices by mediating transmission of signals between the electronic weapon accessory devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A central network controller for a weapon, comprising:
 a plurality of computer ports for attaching electronic weapon accessory devices, each of said computer ports configured to permit interchangeable use of the electronic weapon accessory devices on a weapon; 
 a processor and an associated electronic memory operably coupled to the plurality of computer ports; 
 one or more input devices operably coupled to the processor and configurable to control operation of an attached one or more of said electronic weapon accessory devices; 
 the central network controller configured to permit communication between the electronic weapon accessory devices and the processor to permit control of the electronic weapon accessory devices based on input from the one or more input devices; and 
 the central network controller configured to facilitate electronic communication between the electronic weapon accessory devices by mediating transmission of signals between the electronic weapon accessory devices. 
 
     
     
       2. The central network controller of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more input devices comprise one or more devices selected from the group consisting of a scroll wheel, button-integrated scroll wheel, rocker switch, keypad, multi-position selector switch, and rotary selector switch, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more port covers, each of the one or more port covers operable to selectively cover one of the computer ports. 
     
     
       4. The central network controller of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of computer ports includes one or more locking ports, each of the one or more locking ports comprising:
 a socket defining a receptacle in a housing of the central network controller, the socket configured to receive a complementary plug; 
 a manually actuatable button disposed on the housing; 
 a spring bearing against the button and captured within the housing; 
 a latch member attached to the button movable into and out of the receptacle, wherein the latch member is urged into the receptacle by the spring and wherein the latch member is movable out of the receptacle when the button is pressed to compress the spring; 
 wherein the latch member is configured to engage a complementary groove on the complementary plug when the complementary plug is inserted into the socket to provide a secure engagement of the computer port within the socket. 
 
     
     
       5. The central network controller of  claim 4 , wherein the complementary plug is selected the group consisting of an electrical connector of an accessory connector cable and a port cover. 
     
     
       6. The central network controller of  claim 4 , further comprising a sealing ring disposed within the receptacle. 
     
     
       7. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency module configured to interface with a wireless weapon accessory device. 
     
     
       8. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising one or both of a microphone and an audio speaker. 
     
     
       9. The central network controller of  claim 1 , wherein the central network controller is operable via voice command. 
     
     
       10. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing defining a channel having a cross-sectional shape which substantially matches a cross-sectional profile of a weapon accessory rail interface. 
     
     
       11. The central network controller of  claim 10 , wherein the channel has a cross-sectional shape which substantially matches a cross-sectional profile of a Picatinny accessory rail interface. 
     
     
       12. The central network controller of  claim 10 , further comprising a removable retaining bar axially extending within the channel. 
     
     
       13. The central network controller of  claim 10 , further comprising electrical contacts disposed within the channel, the electrical contacts positioned to make contact with electrically conductive elements disposed on an associated weapon accessory rail interface when the central network controller is installed on the associated weapon accessory rail interface. 
     
     
       14. The central network controller of  claim 10 , further comprising a first removable rail adapter module attachable to the housing within the channel, the first removable rail adapter module having a first configuration of electrical contacts, the first configuration of electrical contacts positioned to make contact with electrically conductive elements disposed on a first powered weapon accessory rail interface when the central network controller is installed on the first powered weapon accessory rail interface. 
     
     
       15. The central network controller of  claim 14 , further comprising a second removable rail adapter module attachable to the housing within the channel, the second removable rail adapter module interchangeably attachable in place of the first removable rail adapter module, the second removable rail adapter module having a second configuration of the electrical contacts positioned to make contact with electrically conductive elements disposed on a second powered weapon accessory rail interface when the central network controller is installed on the second powered weapon accessory rail interface. 
     
     
       16. The central network controller of  claim 15 , further comprising a removable blanking plate adapter module attachable to the housing within the channel, the removable blanking plate adapter module interchangeable with the first and second removable rail adapter modules, the removable blanking plate adapter module configured to be installed on the housing when the central network controller is mounted on a non-powered weapon accessory rail interface mechanical, non-electrical mount, said blanking plate having no electrical contacts. 
     
     
       17. The central network controller of  claim 14 , further comprising a second removable rail adapter module attachable to the housing within the channel, the first removable rail adapter module having an induction coil positioned to facilitate inductive power transfer with an induction coil on a second powered weapon accessory rail interface when the central network controller is installed on the second powered weapon accessory rail interface. 
     
     
       18. The central network controller of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first inclined surface disposed on the housing; 
 a wedge having a second inclined surface facing and configured to engage with the first inclined surface; 
 a threaded fastener passing through a clearance opening in the wedge and threadably engaging a tapped opening disposed within the housing, wherein advancing the threaded fastener adjusts a position of the wedge relative to the first inclined surface on the device housing for facilitating wedge locking between the housing and the weapon accessory rail interface. 
 
     
     
       19. The central network controller of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of computer ports is a USB type C port configured to supply and receive power and data from connected ones of the electronic weapon accessory devices. 
     
     
       20. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more adaptor cables, each adapter cable having a first connector configured to interface with the plurality of computer ports and a second connector selected from the group consisting of legacy connectors, proprietary connectors, and non-standard connectors, and battery dummies. 
     
     
       21. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter cable having a first end having a USB connector configured for connection to the central network controller and a second end having dual USB connectors, each USB connector being configured for connection to two electronic weapon accessory devices, wherein the adapter cable is adapted to facilitate simultaneous data communication between the central network controller and the electronic weapon accessory devices. 
     
     
       22. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery adapter and a battery. 
     
     
       23. The central network controller of  claim 1 , wherein the battery is a small tactical universal battery (STUB). 
     
     
       24. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a radio configured to be detachably coupled to one of said computer ports. 
     
     
       25. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a circuit board and one or more modules disposed on the circuit board, the one or more modules selected from the group consisting of an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver, cellular modem, laser driver circuit, image signal processor, GPS receiver, power management integrated circuit (PMIC), video recorder module, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       26. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting adapter assembly for attaching to a webbing attachment system, the mounting adapter assembly comprising:
 a battery compartment for receiving a battery, the battery for supplying power to the central network controller, the battery compartment configured to be detachably coupled to a housing of the central network controller; and 
 an attachment plate attached to the battery compartment, the attachment plate configured to be positioned behind a webbing structure of the webbing attachment system. 
 
     
     
       27. The central network controller of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing; 
 an axially extending dovetail disposed on the housing; 
 a rail fastener assembly including a base having an axially extending slot slidably receiving the axially extending dovetail and first and second axially spaced apart hooks configured to detachably engage a weapon accessory rail interface.